So I decided to pick up Stuart McLean’s Stories from the Vinyl Café, as there has been a big fuss over his newest book, Extreme Vinyl Café, at the bookstore. So while this isn’t a commentary on a new book, it is still an on-going series drawing attention.
The book is made up of many short stories featuring a rotating number of characters. Some of the stories are very well done, and entertaining with good lighthearted comic moments. There aren’t any specific backgrounds given to any of the characters, McLean just jumps right in and is off with the stories, which is a nice break for a change.
Of course this book has a great amount of Canadian references that people in other countries might not get, but that’s not to say they’re irrelevant. It’s nice to see mention of stores and media that I know of, rather than say the countless American eateries that flood most of the background in current novels (I’m looking at you, Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box and In-N-Out Burger.)
In continuation, I will likely pick up the next in the series of Vinyl Café and give it a run through. Most of the stories kept me interested and didn’t drag on endlessly. McLean has a short and sweet style that works very well in my eyes.
Also, a last point I’d like to make is my disappointment with the new covers for the series. McLean’s older runs had a great poppy look to them (see below) and now they’re using less than exciting covers for the newest run. Ah well, I guess you can’t win them all. For what it’s worth, I love the cover below also as it makes me think of the Dismemberment Plan song “You Are Invited” as well.
On a personal note, I am currently working my way (albeit slowly) through Malcolm Gladwell’s What the Dog Saw, and then will be working on Chuck Klosterman’s Eat the Dinosaur. Amongst the pile of books I have in my pile to read are also Shutter Island, Becoming Batman and quite a few more. If you have any recommendations or comments, message me on facebook (while I decide on an email to set up for this page.)
